Ice-making apparatus.



` Patented luly 24, |900. G. H; ABRAMS. me MAKING APPARATUS.

(Application led Apr. 14, 1898.)

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AAA/0 No. 554,576. Patented my 24, |900.

G. H. ABHAMS.

ICE MAKING APPARATUS. (Application ledlpr. 14, 1896.) (No Model 4 Sheets-Sheet 2,

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No. 654,576. Patented my 24, |900.

- `|CE MAKING APPARATUS.

(Application filed Apr. 1,'4, V139,'6.)

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' w Patented July 24, |900.

G. H. ABBAMS. ICE MAKING APPARATUS.

(ppucazipn mea Apr. 14, 189e.)

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iCflv/IAKVI'NG: APPARATUS.V

srEerErcnrroN forming part of Letters Patent No. 654.576, dated Jury 24, 19Go. Application filed April 14, 1896. r Serial No. 587,514. (No model.)

T0 all whom it may con/cern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE H. ABRAMs, of New York, (Brooklym) Kings county, in the State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in IceMaking Apparatus, of which the following is a specitication.

The general plan of manufacturing ice to which my invention relates is that in which long pans carried on a car are thus moved into the cold room while empty or containing but little sterilized water in each pan. The cold is introduced by-a strong current of air carefully sterilized and injected into the apparatus at an extremely low temperature to circulate within and about the several pans, and the water is supplied slowly either constantly or by instalments until the several pans are tilled. The ice is manufactured in lengths considerably greater than is convenient for use, and after the complete formation of the pieces they are sawed into the shorter lengths required. In order to make what I term running-water ice, the pans or all the several pans above the lowermost are set inclined and the water is admitted to each at the upper end and allowed to flow slowly along toward the lower end, the small quantity admitted to each becoming frozenb on the way. I provide for conveniently changing the inclination of the pans. At the iinish the pans are set level, and each is supplied with a liberal quantity of water, which lies level on the top and makes Aa fair surface. All the other surfaces of the block are molded by the pan, and the block is nearly rectangular, being a very little wider at the top, so as to facilitate' the removal of the ice. The pans are double, and there is a provision for blowing steam through the thin spaces between the two thicknesses of metal. The metal will absorb-the heat of the steam and rapidly thaw the immediately-adjacentice,thus momentarily setting free the mass. I provide for removing it during the brief period in which it remains thus freed. I also provide parts and connections whereby the said spaces between the two thicknesses of metal of the pans may also be placed in communication with a source of cold air, so that it may be introduced in the spaces to congeal the water.

The very low temperature atwhich myiice is manufactured attains im portant endsin the hygienic qualities of the ice.

I provide for warming the nozzles by which the water is introd u'ced,so as to avoid the tendency to freezing of the water in the nozzles. n

The accompanyingr drawings form a part of this specification and represent what I con- Sider the best means of carrying out the invention.

Figure l is aside elevation showing clearly certain provisions for supplying water, with an outline of .the cold room and track. It shows the car in dotted outlines in two positions, that on the right showing it in the position for delivering the ice into an elevator. Fig. 2 is a plan View of the saws and the provisions for carrying the long molded blocks of ice thereto to be divided. Fig. 3 is anend elevation of the same. Fig. 4 is a plan view showing on a small scale and in diagram'- matic outline my provisions for compressing and cooling the air. Fig. 5 is an outline of the car with the pans tilted in opposite directions to make running-water ice. Figs. 6 and 7 are on a larger scale. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section, and Fig. 7 is a transverse section on the line 7 7 in Fig. 6. Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view illustrating the antifreezing provisions for the pipes supplying water to the pans. Fig. 8 is a plan view; and Fig. 9, a longitudinal vertical section, partly in elevation, showing one of the double pans in which the ice is produced. Fig. lO is a side view of a portion of the watersupply. Fig. 11 is an end view of a pan, showing provisions for securing and liberating the removable end. Fig. 12 is a side elevation showing on a larger scale the provisions for tilting the rails, and consequently the pans in the car.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures where they appear. f y

I will use the letter A to indicate the stationary parts, the ground, the walls otv the cold room, rbc., using supernumerals, as A',

to distinguish certain portions when necessary.

-B is the door of the cold room.

C is a pipe which `brings air at a very low temperature and distributes it within the in- IOO terior of the cold room through nozzles C' and also through spaces between the inner and outer pans, to be presently described.

D is the compressor, worked by an engine D and having the ordinary property of receiving the air and compressing it to the density of six atmospheres, more or less. The heat of compression developed by this treatment is absorbed by presenting cold water to the pipes in a condenser comprising the twovessels marked Feed-VVater Heater E and 2nd Cooler, (see Fig. 4,) the air being thus reduced nearly to the normal temperature, while its pressure still. remains at about ninety pounds per square inch.

F is a trap arranged to receive and discharge the considerable amount of moisture which is liable to be separated from the air in the act of cooling in the condenser. This air in being allowed to expand acts in a cylinder Mby driving a piston. (Not shown.) The diameter of the cylinder and length of stroke and the time in which the piston reciprocates being rightly proportioned, the admission of the air is cut off at an early pointin the stroke by devices which may be similar to the cutoff mechanism of steam-engines, and the air is allowed to expand, doing useful work in impelling the engine. At the end of the `stroke it is discharged at or near the ordi# nary pressure of the atmosphere. This is the 'cold air which is introduced into the apparatus.

G G are cars running on wheels G2 on the rails A2 in the bottom of the cold room A'. 'Each is an openework structure, as plainly shown in Fig. 5, and is equipped with rails G',*extending longitudinally on each of the inner faces. I have shown four pairs of these rails mounted one over another adapted to support and allow longitudinal movement to four correspondingly-long pans. These pans are each of two thicknesses of metal H and H', held a little distance apart. The inner one, H, is the pan proper and is of the required form to .mold the blocks of ice. Its length is sufficient to make three blocks of convenient size for storage and use. One end of the outer pan H' has a nozzle 7i, which is adapted to receive a flexible connection I' yfrom a pipe I, which performs important functions.v It supplies .cold to effect the freezing, and at b rief periods it supplies heat to detach the ice from the pan when the operation is completed.

In the act of effecting the freezing, which necessarily occupies the principal portion of the time in the manufacture of each batch of ice, the hosejpipe I', connected to the nozzle h, brings the air from the exhaust of the airengine. This extremelycold air moving through the spaces between the two thicknesses escapes at the orifice 7i at the bottom l only slightly reduced by the of the opposite end of the pan. It thence circulates in the general interior of the cold room, having its extremely-low temperature passage through pan H be cooled to a very low temperature and held there as the water is successively added and frozen in the interior of the pan and that there be provisions also forcirculating lcold air in the cold room, so that it shall act still more efficiently on the large exposed surface at the top of the freezing mass, and that all this be done without too much retarding or choking the delivery of the exhaust from the air-engine M.

It will be understood that the operation of filling the several pans with ice is effected by holding them in the car and supplying water which freezes in layers, commencing at the bottom and gradually filling each pan. The upper surface being directly exposed to the cold air throughout the whole operation, allows the process to proceed very rapidly. The caloric carried away by the blast of intensely-cold air through each space between the inner and outer pans also takes away the caloric, but less efciently through the metal of the inner pan. The result is the manufacture of dense ice without any air-bubbles or cores. When a pan is completely filled,

the contents are at a temperature far below the freezing-point. My experiments have indicated a temperature in the air and presumably an approximation thereto in the interior of the mass of ice of Fahrenheit below zero. One end of each pan is closed by a removable flap or door j, which constitutes the entire end and which makesa tight joint, the said door also comprising two thicknesses to form a chamber, which when the door occupies a closed position, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9,will communicate with the pan-space through openings J', arranged to register with those` of the pan. The pan will then be in a condition to serve for receiving water and accumulating the desired quantity of ice. The means for locking each door J in position and for effecting its release comprise springyielding catches J2, located on the sides of the pan adjacent to its discharge end, dogs J3 door, and extendedhorizontal links J4, parallel with the outer face of the door and having their outer extremities pivotally secured to the dogs, while their inner portions are bent,

as indicated in Fig. 1l, and connected to a bar or lever J6 at either side of its pivotal attachment with the door, said bar being pivotally secured to the inner end of a rod J7, provided with a suitable handle and having an offset intended when the lever is lifted and moved to engage a knife-edge lug Jil, projecting from the door, so that the door-secur- IOO IIO

. centrally pivoted in ears at each end of the ing means may be held in either an engaged or a disengaged position. When the coldair connections with the pan are detached and the car is drawn from the cold room, the pans are then all inclined to the right and connected with a source of steam-supply by a pipe U, controlled by a valve U' to permit steam to flow through the spaces between the inner and outer thicknesses both of the pans and doors, water of condensation being discharged through the openings h', the catches of the doors J being released during this operation. So soon as the steam has warmed the entire inner pan and the inner-door thickness it may be shut off, and the ice will be detached both from its pan and door, the latter being removed, and the ice will by an endwise movement slide down the incline and, escaping through the open end, be re' moved from the pan. Then the flap or door J at the end of the pan being replaced, the pan is ready to be reused, and when all the pans have been thus treated the car is ready to be returned into the cold room, the door B closed, and the current of cold air again driven through the spaces in the several pans, and also circulated actively through the general interior of the cold room and the water furthersupplied. Each pan is equipped with three pairs of wheels H2, by which it is supported and is allowed to be easily moved endwise on the rails G'. The water is supplied to the several pans through a vertical pipe K and horizontal branch K' and a set of depending branches K2, leading from the latter down to the several different depths required to supply the several pans. The lower end of each of the descending 4branches K2 is deflected inward, asclearly shown in Fig. G. It takes but a small portion of the cooling energy of the apparatus to lower the temperature of the water, the main effort required of the refrigerating apparatus being to dispose of the latent heat developed in the changing of the water to ice. I prefer'to supply the water warm in order to reduce the liability of its freezing in the pipes K K K2. In order to further reduce the risk of freezing the Water in these pipes or to provide a means for conveniently and rapidly thawing them if they should become frozen, I arrange spirally around the exteriorof each of the large pipes K2 a small pipe L, which carries brine. The flow of the brine is controlled by a valve L'. This valve may be opened a little, and the brine, introduced hot, goes down in one branch of the pipe L, makes a horizontal movement in the lower part, and returns again through the other branch pipe L and iiows back to a boiler, (not shown,) in which the brine is warmed and is ready to serve again. The brine should be a saturated solution, so that it will not freeze at any temperature likely to be reached in these pipes.

In the manufacture by my apparatus of what I term running-water ice the water is allowed'to flow slowly but constantly past the several valves K4 and down the several descending pipes K2 into the upper ends of the several inclined pans, the relative flow being controlled by the relative opening of the valves K4. These are adj usted as shall be found necessary to make the several pans work alike and become filled with ice simultaneously. The ice thus made is superior in quality; but there are reasons lying partially in the reduction of the danger of freezing in the supply-pipe and partly in the uniformity of the distributionin the slightly-inclined pans why in operating in the large way it may be preferred for general practice to let the Water in at intervals in liberal instalments and to close off the flow entirely between these intervals. I will now describe the provisions for working in this manner. In this mode of operating the iiow of the Water through the descending branches K2 into the several pans is regulated by a valve K3, which opens intermitt'ently, and by the same screw-valves K4, which are adjusted so as to simply modify the flow into each of the several connections K2. The upper portion of each of these pipes is connected to an air-pipe K3, which affords ample vent. When the valve K3 opens, it lets a quantity of water descend sufficient, for example, to put one-fourth of a cubic foot of water into each of the pans H. So soon as the valve K3 shut-s the water in the horizontal pipe K and in the several pendent pipes K2 completely empties itself into the several pans, the vent-pipe K5 supplying air to allow such movement. At the next openingof the valve K3 the operation is repeated. By this mean's the water, which starts warm from the reservoir above, (not showin) moves rapidly through the pipes K and K2 and will usually tiow quite into the several pans I-I before it I has been lowered to the freezing temperature. In the rare instances which prove exceptions to this when the lower end of one or more of the pipes K2 is closed by being frozen up a iiow of warm brine through the corresponding pipe L will thaw itout.

In either mode of operating the cold air after circulating among the paus and absorbing heat from the upper surfaces and also from all the other surfaces of the layer of wa ter in each is discharged at the top of the cold room through a pipe (52, whichl conveys it away and may lead it back to the compressor.

The valve K3 is operated automatically at the proper intervals by an electromagnet controlled by a clock. 0 is the magnet, and P an armature which is controlled thereby and is engaged with the lever K6 on the stopcock K3. Whenever the current from the dynamo or battery Q is allowed to complete its circuit through the electromagnet O, the armature P is drawn to the right, provisions being made for giving a sufficient motion to pull the valve K3 into the wide-open position. Thus conditioned a strong flow of Water comes through the pipe K and passing the valve K3 IIO IZO

fills or partially fills the horizontal pipe K' 'and ows downward through the several descending branches K2 and fiows into the sevreral pans.

The screw-valves K4 should be previously adjusted so that the brief 'ow of Water descending in the several pipes will be just sufficiently restrained to deliver an equal quantity into each of the pans H. The completing of the circuit and effecting this important part of the process is controlled by a clock R, shown as mounted on one of the outer faces of the cold room; but it may be at a more distant point, if preferred. The

`clock is provided with the ordinary mechanrent received by the'clock at the center shaft minutes; but this can be varied. Vutes orless may suffice.

'permanentlylevel in the car.

-nate rails.

and allowed to flow outward through the minute-hand completes the circuit through the electromagnet O by allowing the current to flow through the conductor R' which it is then passing. After this has passed, which -I prefer to adjust so that the valve shall be open only a fraction of a minute, the minutehand moves upon the non-conducting portion of the ring R2, and the current is stopped. Under these conditions the gravity of the Weight K7 effects the prompt closing of the valve K3 and holds it closed until the circuit is again formed by the contact of the minute- `hand with the next conductor R'. I have shown these conductors as being at such disytance apart that the circuit will be completed for a brief period required at intervals of tive Two min- I provide for varying theinclination of the several pans both in amount and direction. The lowermost pair of rails G' may be held Each of the other pairs of rails similarly marked mounted at a higher level is pivoted by its center to the car at the point G3. I have shown all as thus pivoted. The ends of the several tiers of rails are united by connecting-links T, located at one end, and connect the alter- The levers T', turning on xed pivots, are movably attached to the proper rails, sothat by raising either lever the end of each 'rail to which it is attached will be depressed, and a corresponding movement of the otherlever will depress its detached rails, so that all will assume opposite directions, as shown by Fig. l2. I can simultaneously or successively incline the several rails to varying extents, as shall be found expedient, in order to allow the Water received at the upper end-the left hand posltlons lnclinlng 1n alga inFig. 5-to 110W with just sufficient rapidity toward the otherthe right-hand end. Near the termination of the treatment, before letting the last installment of Water into each pan, I set them all level, and by elongating the period during which the current is flowing through the magnet O and the valve K3 stands open sufficient water is supplied to each pan to allow it to assume a level surface. Then a few minutes exposure to the low temperature completes the freezing and produces a remarkably-solid block of ice.

The masses of ice molded in the pans are too long to be convenient. They may be saWed ol" to any required length. I have in my experiments made the length of each block eleven feet and have sawedit into three lengths nearly four feet each. Ice is easily sawed, and I provide for eecting this portion of the operation rapidly iently by mounting the proper number of circular saws W', of proper size, on a shaft W, which is rotated by the engine and is so located relatively to the point at which the ice is discharged from the several pans that each block maybe lifted rapidly past the saws and be divided.

X is an elevator mounted near the coldroom, but with sufficient distance between. When the freezing is completed, the door B is opened and the car G,with its loaded pan, is moved out, and .the steam being applied through the pipe I to momentarily Warm the metal of each pan the ice is discharged from 'each down the incline into the elevator, the

latter being set at the proper height to receive it. When the elevator is loaded with all four of the blocks of ice, or earlier, if preferred, it is raised past the saws W', and the saws divide the several long blocks into the proper number of convenient length.

Modifications may be madehwithout departing from the principle or sacrificing the advantages of the invention. I can `vary the number of the pairs of rails A2 and cars run- IOC IIO

ning thereon, also the number of the rails G in each car, and consequently the number of pans I-I H'- I can use other than screw-valves at the points .K4 to equalize the flow into the several pans. There may be conditions under which no restraint Will be necessary on the How of the Water through the descending pipes K2. The water may descend continuously instead of at intervals. I can use other force than gravity to effect the closing of the valve K3.

I make no claim herein to the feature of absorbing the heat of compression from the air, leading or circulating the same through a feedwater heater, as this forms the subject-matter of a separate application by me for patent filed June 5, 1896, Serial No. 594,354.

I claim as my invention-'- 1. In an ice-making apparatus, the combination with a closed refrigerating-chamber A', of a car G movable therein, and carrying a vertical series of jacketed pans, antifreezing means for simultaneously and slowly supplying water to the several pans to permit it to be frozen in layers, and a source of refrigerant-supply with detachable connections with the spaces of the pans said source of refrigerant-supply having an independent communication discharging broadcast into the chamber, substantially as herein specied.

2. In ice-making apparatus, the combination with a closed refrigerating-chamber, of a car movable therein and carrying a plurality of pans arranged in vertical series and individually movable on guided wheels, detachable refrigerant connectionswith the pans, a distinct refrigerant-s upply discharging broadcast into the room, means for tilting the pans, a suitably-protected water-supply pipe for the latter, and means for subjecting the pans to heat, all substantially-as herein specified.

'3. In ice-making apparatus, the combination with a refrigerating-chamber, of a car movable therein and carrying a plurality of pans individually movable on guide-wheels, and two sets of devices, as the hand-levers U and V, and the links connected thereto, arranged to allow all the pans to be inclined together or to be inclined a portion in one direction and a portion in another, so as to serve substantially as herein specified.

el. In ice-making apparatus, the combination with a ref rigerati11g-chamber, of a car movable therein ou supporting guide-wheels and'carrying a plurality of pans individually movable on guide-wheels, and devices as the lever V, attached link secured to the pivotal pan-supports for tilting the pans, and means such as the recessed retaining-bar for holding the lever at determined points of the throw, substantially as hereinspecified.V

5. In ice-making apparatus, the combination with a chamber having a supply for the refrigerating agent, of a portable ice-pan having one end closed by a removable flap and formed in two thicknesses of material to present a confined intermediate space and having a detachable connection with the refrigerant-supply, substantially as herein specilied.

6. In ice-making apparatus, the combination with a chamber having a co1d-air supply and discharge communicating with the upper and lower portions respectively thereof, of an ice-'pan formed in two thicknesses of metal to present a confined intermediate space, and having a connection with the coldair supply, and an opening discharging into the chamber, substantially as herein specified.

7. In ice-making apparatus, the combination with a closed chamber having a supply for the refrigerating agent, a series of pans each formed of two thicknesses of material to present a confined intermediate space, and a series fof iiexible pipes supplied by the refrigerant-supply and adapted to be detachably connected to the pans to supply the intermediate spaces thereof, a distinct refrigerant-supply discharging broadcast into the room together with a suitably-protected water-supply pipe for the pans and provisions for subjecting the latter to heat, substantially as herein specified.

8. In ice-making apparatus, the combination with a closed refrigerating-chamber, of a jacketed ice pan or pans therein, detachable refrigerant connections therewith for expanding air in the jacket-spaces thereof, together with a valve-controlled water-supply connecting with a pipe or pipes for delivering water to the pan or paus, antifreezing provisions for the pipe or pipes, thawing provisions for the pans, mechanism for intermittently operating the water-supply valve and a distinct supply of expanded air discharging broadcast into the room, substantially as herein specified.

9. In ice-making apparatus, the combination with a closed chamber having a refrigerant-supply, of an ice-pan havingan open end and formed in two thicknesses of metal to present a confined intermediate space, connections for detachably establishing communication between the refrigerant-supply and said space, thawing provisions for said pans,

a door or iiap for'closing'the open end of the pan, spring-catch devices for locking said .door and means for tilting said pan, together with a distinct refrigerant-supply discharging broadcastin'to the room, substantially as herein specified. Y

IO. In ice-making apparatus, the combination with a closed refrigerating-cham ber, of a jacketed ice pan or pans therein, together with a valved water-supply connecting with Va pipe or pipes for delivering water to the pan or pans, detachable refrigerant connections for the latter, antifreezing provisions for the pipe or pipes, thawing provisions for the pans, an armature connected to the valve and an electromagnet and connections for completing the magnetic circuit to move the armature and operate the valve, together with a compressed-air supply for the detachable pan connections and for independently discharging broadcast into the room, substantially as herein specified.

1l. In ice-making apparatus, the combina-v tion with an Aice-'pan having an open end and comprising two thicknesses of metal forming a confined-intermediate space, a nozzle or its equivalent connected with the outer thickness of metal, and a door or flap also containing an intermediate space, and having an opening arranged,when the door is adjusted, to register with an opening in the pan leading to its confined space, substantially as herein specified.

12. In ice-making apparatus, the combination with a closed refrigerating-chamber having an expanded air admission and discharge,

'of ice-pans therein,together with a water-supply therefor having pipe connections there- IOO IIO

with, antifreezing provisions for said pipe connections,thawing provisions for the pans, an electrically-controlled valve for the watersupply, and a time mechanism provided with adjustable circuit-contacts to cooperate with the timepiece and periodically actuate the electrical valve-operating devices, substantially as herein specified.

13. In an ice-making apparatus, a closed chamber having an expanded air admission and discharge,a number of pans in said chamber,a general water-pipe controlled by a valve opened intermittently, and branches supplying the water intermittently therefrom to the several pans, a series of nicely-adjustable valves each controlling the flow into the several pans so as to make the quantity delivered practically equal at each opened period, and means for tiltingT said pans, and thawing provisions for the latter, all substantially as herein specified.

14. In ice-making apparatus, the combination with a closed refrigerating-chamber having an expanded air admission and discharge, of a vertical series of ice-pans therein, a valve-controlled water-supply pipe communioating with a horizontal pipe K in the upper part of said chamber, and having depending branches for feeding the pans, antifreezing provisions for said branches, thawing provisions for the pans, together with mechanism for periodically opening and closing the water-supply valve to determine the volume of water to be con gealed, and means for tilting said pans, substantially as herein specified.

15. In an ice making and handling system, a refrigerating-chamber containing a car car# rying a plurality of ice-pans of extended v length and each having an intermediate space and nozzles or their equivalents, of provisions for inclining the pans, jacketed water-supply pipes intermittently controlled, a source of /heat-supply adapted to connect wi th said nozzles to effect the release of the ice in blocks, and a cutting-saw and means for feeding the block to the saw together with a trackway leading from the ref rigeratin g-chamber to the cutting-saws, substantially as herein specified.

16. In ice-making apparatus, the combination with a refrigerating-chamber, of an ice pan or pans therein,a water-supply pipe therefor, and a jacket of material low in conductivity, together with a pipe associated with said water-pipe and connecting with a source of iiuid of higher temperature so as to provide means for thawing out the pipe when necessary,'all combined substantially as herein specified.

In testimony that I claim the invention above set forth I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE II. ABRAHS.

Witnesses:

J. B. CLAUTICE, v M. F. BoYLE. 

